Bed cover support



Aug. 22, 1944. F. w. COFFING v 5,

' BED COVER SUPPORT Filed April 20, 1942 v )(HH l6 ,uH Fla. NAHUM m. I .n 2' I e 4 MHHM 50.4641 1 I I; 42 0 4 I 487% 144/ f -/e I 5 Patented Aug. 22, 1944 BED COVER SUPPORT Fredrick W. Coffing, Danville, 111., assignor or one-fourth to George H. Brown and one fourth to Gladys R. Brown, both of Danville, Ill.

Application April 20, 1942, Serial No. 439,693

6 Claims.

This invention "relates to a bed clothes support for the purpose of holding in elevated position, the bed clothes so that the same will be out of contact with the persons body at such portion which is unable to sustain the weight of such clothes or which portion would be irriated by such contact with said clothes;

The chief object of thisinvention is to provide a construction which is portable and collapsible as well as readily adjustable so that the same may be quickly'lapplied to a bed or removed therefrom and may be quickly adjusted to the bed size when necessary, and which may be quickly and readily adjusted to proper position in the bed.

Another object of the inventionis to provide a heating arrangement which is positioned above the body of the person on the bed and which is protected from the bed covers so that burning,

scorching andthe like thereof, is prevented. The chief feature of the invention consists in providing a bed clothes support of the character indicated and which is comprised of but relatively few parts and these of simple character."

will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawing and the following description and claims:

In the drawing Fig. 1 illustrates the foot end of a bed structure with mattress and covers thereon and the invention shown in erected and bed clothes supporting position for foot relief, the full lines between the covers and the mattress indicating a patients limb, the dotted lines insaid figure indicating a second position of the invention and for the relief of knee strain.

Fig. .2 is a top plan view of the invention shown in Fig. 1.

bed, II the side and H! a conventional spring structure supporting a covered mattress 13. The numeral l4 indicates the bed clothes. A indicates the lowerlimb of a person resting on the .bed.

By referring: to Fig. 2, it will .be observed that each basem'embe'r I5 is elongated longitudinally v Other objects and features of. the invention and is provided with a longitudinal series of stop portions l6 which herein are shown as a rack arranged series of registering teeth.

Adjacent one end of each member i5, there is provided an angle member I! secured as at I8 to the member l5. The upwardly extending portionpivotally supports as at [9 the end of an arm portion 2|]. This arm portion 20 at its opposite end is directed inwardly as at 2|. The two angularly directed portions 21 are lapped as at 22, see Fig. 2, and :clip arrangements 23 each carried by the free end of the angular portion 2|, embrace the adjacent portion of the other angular portion 2 I. Thus, by reason of this frictional contact and the clips, the portion 2!222l constitutes the midportion of a U- shaped arrangement having the arms '20 and when this U-shaped arrangement is erected or elevated, the midportion thereof serves to support the bed clothes l4 above the patient.

Herein there is pivotally connected as at 24 to each arm 20 a brace member 25 having the toothed end 25 adapted for selective rack tooth engagement, such as illustrated in Fig. 1. These brace members 25 when properly associated with the proper teeth l6 of the elongated base members I5 serve to sustain the pivoted arms 20 in upwardly directed relation so that the midportion of the inverted U-sh'aped structure is capable of bed clothes support in elevated relation with respect tothe body on the mattress.

It will be quite apparent that the comparative flat elongated base members l5 can beslid longitudinally of the mattress without disturbing the patient since these members l5 will be at the sides of the patient and so whenever it is desired to relieve the weight of the bed clothes from the foot, the device will be positioned as shown by the solid line in Fig. 1.

When it is desired to relieve the weight of the bed clothes from the knees of the patient and knee relief is desired, the support will be moved toward the head of the bed such as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, and the pillow B may be inserted underthe knees of the patient. This relieves the strain in'the lower limbs and takes the weight of the bed clothes from the knees.

It, of course, is to be understood that this device may be moved upwardly still further toward the bed head'to relieve the abdomen and/0r chest of the patient from the weight of the bed clothes bearing thereon. This can be readily adjusted by moving the device longitudinally by working from either side. It will, of course, be understood that the device -may be applied to the bed with the patient thereon substantially without unduly uncovering the patient by merely opening the covers at the footof the bed and inserting the device therein from the foot portion of the mattress.

As shown clearly-in Fig. 3, the device may be readily collapsed for portability and storage purposes. The series of rack teeth permits the midportion of the arrangement to be positioned at any desired elevation relative to the plane of the base members.

Whenever it is desired to provide additional heat for therapeutic purposes, there may be provided a heating unit 30, secured at opposite ends to the arm portions 28 as at 3|, and this may be of protected, coiled, thermal electrical means, with suitable cord extension for detachable connection to a suitable wall or like outlet.

It will be observed-see Fig. 1-that when the device is erected and in operative position, the bed clothing is positioned at a distance from this heating element so that accidental burning or charring of the same will be prevented. Other guard means may be provided to prevent patient contact with the heating element. Normally, however, the heat emanating therefrom and in the immediate vicinity thereof, will be sufiicient warning to the patient to prevent burning.

The device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, is capable of adjustment in another manner, towit, to the width of the bed or the width of the patient. In other Words, the device may be fabricated so that when the members 23 are positioned adjacent the portions 20 the overal1 width of the device will be adjusted for what is termed a single width bed. When, however, the device is adjusted as shown in Fig. 2, it is adjusted for the double width bed. When the device is adjusted for an intermediate position, it is suitable for application to and use with a threequarter width bed. Hence, this device is substantially universal in character in that it is adjustable for any width of bed and readily adjusted for the same.

It can be adjusted and very readily for any desired elevation within the range of adjustable positioning of the brace members and it furthermore is arranged so that it may be readily positioned at any desired position upon the mattress for predetermined body alleviation of bed clothes weight and more particularly, since the device is of bearing character only and is not clampingly associated with either the side rails or the mattress, it can be applied to any bed arrangement regardless of side rail construction or shape and regardless of mattress character or depth thereof and furthermore it is capable of application to a bed from the end without uncovering the patient.

It also has the advantage that when incorporated within the covers, it is fully enclosed by the same and the mattress and, therefore, no portion of the covers is required to be untucked, or the like, in order to provide a mounting of the base upon a side rail or mattress by clamping thereon, as has been heretofore proposed.

It is furthermore to be observed that when the device is collapsed, as shown in Fig. 3, and the two base members are brought closest together, see for example the arrangement in Fig. 2 and indicated by the dotted lines XY, the device for transportation, storage, and the like, requires a minimum area and volume.

Reference now will be had to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, wherein a modified form of the invention is illustrated. This chiefly is concerned with the formation of the base, brace and the operative connection therebetween, since the U-shaped construction shown in the first form of the invention and the pivoted connection thereto of the two brace members is substantially that shown in the first form.

The first form of the-invention is illustrated as providing wooden bases and metal strap, angular members 20-2l and metal strap, or bar, brace members 25. In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 all the parts are metal, and of comparatively light gauge.

In said figures, 40 indicates a base member which is provided about its periphery with a reenforcing flange 4|. This prevents slipping or Sliding of the'base member 48. It also stifiens the same. A longitudinally elongated, die drawn, cup-like arrangement is indicated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 and in the same, the numeral 42 is the top thereof, 43 the side wall, 44 the end wall, and 45 the side flange. This side flange extends around the cup arrangement, which, as before stated, is elongated and is inverted. It is also provided with an elongated slot 46 thatis medianly positioned.

The flange 45 at each end is suitably secured to the base 40 as by riveting 41, and the like. The slot 46 is provided with lateral extensions in alignment, as indicatedat 46a in Fig. 6. The purpose of these transversely aligned lateral ex.- tensions of slot 46 will now appear. 7

The brace 48 includes the toothed end 49 and adjacent the tip thereof is a pin 58 that projects from opposite sides of said brace member 48 as shown clearly in Fig. 4. The midportion of the base member 40 is suitably deformed as shown more particularly in Fig. 5 and as indicated by 5| therein, to provide a rack series of ratchet teeth, the samev registering with the elongated slot 46.

It will be observed that when the member 48 is elevated so that the tip or tooth 49 is positioned sufiiciently above the teeth 5| to clear the same, the pin 50 then will be positioned immediately below the underface of the top portion 42 and can rid thereon as the brace member is adjusted longitudinally of the slot. The brace member 48 is semi-permanently associated with the base at the adjusting end 49 of the brace by reason of the pin 50, which prevents separation of the brace at that end from the base unless when the pin 50 is registered with lateral enlargements 46a of the slot 46. Then and then only can. the toothed end 49 of the brace 48 be detached from the base structure 40. Of course, the U-shaped member, shown most clearly in Fig. 2, and to which the upper ends of the brace members 48 are pivotally connected as at 28, is connected at the ends of the arms to the two base members in any desired manner, one conventional form of mounting being shown in Fig. 6 which issimilar to that shown inFigs. l to 3 inclusiveat I|--l8 and I9. However, this pivoted mounting of the ends of the U-shaped support arms may bepivotally associated with the elongated cup formation 4243. In this event the slot 46 to permit complete collapse of thestructure, a diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 3, would have to be of sufiicient width to permit the arm portions to drop into the slots 46 beside the braces 48 and the slot 46 would have to be extended at each end to permit the arm of the U-shapedsupport to lie therein for complete collapse to the extent illustrated in Fig, 3, provided the transverse portion 2 I-ZZ of the U-shaped member then were positioned beyond that end 44 adjacent slot enlargement 46a.

Various other forms of mountings of the U- shaped support may be provided, all of which-are within the skill of the ordinary mechanic and forms no part of the invention except to the extent hereinbefore disclosed.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detail in the drawing and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

The several modifications described herein as well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, all are considered to be within the broad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A portable, collapsible and adjustable selfsustaining bed cover supporting structure and including a pair of spaced, elongated base members, each of substantial width and a length several times that of the width and adapted to bear fiatwise anywhere on any standard width bed and below the covers thereon, each base member having a longitudinal series of stop portions, an inverted U-shaped cover support having arm portions with free ends pivoted to the base members near one end of the base members, and a pair of substantially equal length brace members, each of a lesser length than the adjacent arm portion and pivoted at one end thereto remote from the pivotal connection thereof to the base member, each brace member having its opposite end adapted for selective stop portion engagement.

2. A supporting structure as defined by claim 1, characterized by each elongated base member series of stop portions comprising a rack series of ratchet-like teeth, the brace end operatively associated therewith being arranged to pass free- 1y thereover for progressive elevation of the midportion of the U-shaped support and seat in the root between teeth for maintaining the support midportion at the desired elevation.

3. A supporting structure as defined by claim 1, characterized by each elongated base member series of stop portions comprising a rack series of ratchet-like teeth, the brace end operatively associated therewith being arranged to pass freely thereover for progressive elevation of the midportion of the U-shaped support and seat in the root between teeth for maintaining the support midportion at the desired elevation, each base member including longitudinally directed guide means spaced apart for brace member reception therebetween and spaced from the top of the teeth, and means extending transversely of the brace member adjacent the teeth engaging end thereof and juxtapositioned to the lower face of the guide means to permit transverse means and teeth engaging end movement with the brace member for brace member position adjustment and normally preventing complete separation of the tooth engaging brace end and the base member, the guide means spacing from the top of the teeth permitting free movement of the transverse means parallel to the base and between the guide means and the top of the teeth.

4. A supporting structure as defined by claim 1, characterized by each elongated base member series of stop portions comprising a rack series of ratchet-like teeth, the brace end operatively associated therewith being arranged to pass freely thereover for progressive elevation of the midportion of the U-shaped support and seat in the root between teeth for maintaining the support midportion at the desired elevation, each base member including longitudinally directed guide means spaced apart for brace member reception therebetween and spaced from the top of the teeth, and means extending transversely of t e brace member adjacent the teeth engaging end thereof and juxtapcsitioned to the lower face of the guide means to permit transverse means and teeth engaging end movement with the brace member for brace member position adjustment and normally preventing complete separation of the tooth engaging brace end and the base member, the guide means spacing from the top of the teeth permitting free movement of the transverse means parallel to the base and between the guide means and the top of the teeth, the spaced guide means including a longitudinally slotted member.

5. A supporting structure as defined by claim 1, characterized by each elongated base member series of stop portions comprising a rack series of ratchet-like teeth, the brace end operatively associated therewith being arranged to pass freely thereover for progressive elevation of the midportion of the U-shaped support and seat in the root between teeth for maintaining the support midportion at the desired elevation, each base member including longitudinally directed guide means spaced apart for brace member reception therebetween and spaced from the top of the teeth, and means extending transversely of the brace member adjacent the teeth engaging end thereof and juxtapositioned to the lower face of the guide means to permit transverse means and teeth engaging end movement with the brace member for brace member position adjustment and normally preventing complete separation of the tooth engaging brace end and the base member, the guide means spacing from the top of the teeth permitting free movement of the transverse means parallel to the base and between the guide means and the top of the teeth, the spaced guide means including a longitudinally slotted member, said slotted member including lateral enlargements of the slot for transverse means passage when desired.

6. A supporting structure as defined by claim 1, characterized by each elongated base member series of stop portions comprising a rack series of ratchet-like teeth, the brace end operatively associated therewith being arranged to pass freely thereover for progressive elevation of the midportion of the U-shaped support and seat in the root between teeth for maintaining the support midportion at the desired elevation, each base member including longitudinally directed guide means spaced apart for brace member reception therebetween and spaced from the top of the teeth, and means extending transversely of the brace member adjacent the teeth engaging end thereof and juxtapositioned to the lower face of the guide means to permit transverse means and teeth engaging end movement with the brace member for brace member position adjustment an normally preventing complete separation of the tooth engaging brace end and the base member, the guide means spacing from the top of the teeth permitting free movement of the transverse means parallel to the base and between the guide means and the top of the teeth, the spaced guide means including a longitudinally slotted member,

' said slotted member including lateral enlargements of the slot for transverse means passage when desired, and having longitudinal side flanges bearing on the base member for stiffening purposes.

FREDRICK W. COFFING. 

